Thursday, September 26, 2013

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — A man wearing Dodgers gear was stabbed to death when a fight broke out between rival fans just after a San Francisco Giants baseball game near AT&T Park late Wednesday night.

San Francisco Police said a confrontation between two groups of men following a Dodgers and Giants game broke out near the intersection of Third and Harrison streets about 11:40 p.m.

The man was walking away from the stadium with his father and brother when a verbal disagreement led to a physical confrontation involving a knife, police said.

The man was stabbed during the fight and transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries, police said.

Three people were taken into custody in the area, and police were continuing to interview witnesses.

UPDATE: LA Times has a few more details...

The unidentified victim was with his brother and father who were wearing Dodger blue when he was stabbed, NBC-Bay Area reported. The argument began after a comment about Dodgers apparel, KGO-TV reported.

The victim was not wearing team colors, according to media reports. It was not immediately clear if others in the fight were wearing Giants gear.

The Dodgers are shocked and saddened to learn of the death of Jonathan Denver, who is the son of one of our security guards. There is no rational explanation for this senseless act which resulted in Jonathan's death. The pain that this has caused his family and friends is unimaginable. Words are not enough to describe our sadness. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family during this extremely difficult time.

"Jonathan Denver, 24, was pronounced dead at San Francisco GeneralHospital after he was stabbed at about 11:40 p.m. four blocks fromAT&T Park, where 90 minutes earlier the Giants beat the Dodgers 6-4.

Police confirmed that Denver was wearing Dodgers gear when he andanother person he was with were attacked. The other man, who was notimmediately identified, was bruised after being beaten, according topolice.

The two men arrested after the attack were ages 18 and 21, accordingto San Francisco police. They were not immediately identified.

The stabbing reportedly occurred after a fight broke out when someonemade a comment about Dodgers gear,according to KGO-TV.

At least 10 people were involved in the fight, with one man wielding aknife and another a bat, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

It was not immediately clear if others in the fight were wearingGiants gear, and police declined to comment on a possible motive forthe fight.

I'm not sure that random acts of violence between Dodger fans and Giants fans will ever stop, but maybe a postgame handshake line like hockey could help. The players need to show that the "rivalry" stops when the game is over.